Folding chair



Feb. 27, 11Q34. MURRAY 1,949,282

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Jan. 17, 1931 2 Shee ts-Sheet l In uenior Feb 27, 1934. 11 R Y 1,949,282

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Jan. 17, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a -{-4 Inventor rammed Feb. 27, 1934 UEMTED STTES @FFHCE FGLKDKNG CHAER Thomas F. Murray, New York, N. 'iz.

Application January 17, 1931. Serial No. 509,502

2 Eiairns.

This invention relates to improvements in folding chairs and has particular reference to a folding rocking chair.

The primary object of the invention resides in B a folding rocking chair which is strong and comfortable when set up for use and is locked against accidental collapsing, thus assuring safety and ease of mind to the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ll) 'foldable rocking chair which may be compactly collapsed when not in use and easily carried or transported from place to place.

A further object is the provision of a folding rocking chair which embodies a collapsible frame structure to which a flexible fabric strip is detachably connected in a manner to permit the quick and easy removal of the strip for washing or cleaning purposes, or when the frame is left outdoors and its desired to protect the same against the elements.

A still further object is to provide a folding rocking chair in which all of the pivotally connected sections of the frame are foldable to a position is substantially parallel relation, which enables the storing of the chair in a relatively small space when not in use, and also the stacking of a number of chairs one upon the other.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accom- 'panying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved folding rocking chair in an operative set up position.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the chair in collapsed position.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the chair 'in the position shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of one end of the fabric strip showing the locking rod in a partially withdrawn position.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral 10 designates my improved folding rocking chair in its entirety, which includes broadly a back frame 11 and a seat frame section 12, the seat frame section 12 comprises a pair of spaced parallel forwardly extending side bars 13-13, the lower ends of which are connected to a pair of spaced parallel base bars 1414. These bars 14-14 are provided with (ill. 155-56) elongated slots 15-15 adjacent their rear ends into which pins 16 extend and which pins are carried by the lower ends of the side bars 13--13. The upper forward end of the side bars l313 are widened as at 17 and terminate in angularly Q disposed portions 18, which portions support a relatively wide cross bar 19, and a narrower cross bar 20, the same being in spaced relation with respect to the cross bar 19. The side bars 13 may be constructed of various plies of material, preferably wood, so as to be sufficiently strong to support the weight imposed thereon during use of the chair.

The lower ends of the side bars 1313 lap the outer faces of the base bars 14, while spaced -'parallel side bars 21--21 of the back frame section 11 engage the inner sides of the base bars 14-14 at the front ends thereof and the said side bars are connected to the base bars by pivots 22. The side bars 21 are inclined rearwardly and 76 are free or spaced from the inner side of the side bars 1313 to prevent frictional contact or rubbing of these parts. A lower cross bar 24 connects the bars 21-21, while top cross bars 25 and 26 brace the upper ends of the side bars 21, the said cross bars 25 and 26 being disposed in spaced relation for a purpose to be presently explained.

Pivoted to the outer sides of the side bars 21 are arm members 272'7, the same extending forwardly and embracing the inner side of the side bars 13 and being provided with elongated slots 28, the lower ends of which slots terminate in offset branches 29. Headed pins 30 carried by the side bars 1313 extend inwardly of the said side bars and have their shanks extending through the slots 28, and which pin and slot connection serves to limit the folding of the frame section to open or closed position.

Associated with the back section 11 and the seat frame section 12 is a flexible fabric strip 31 which may be canvas or like washable material, the ends of which freely extend through the spaces between the cross bars 25 and 26 and 19 and 20, respectively. The ends of the strip are folded rearwardly and stitched as at 32 to provide a hem or loop 33 through which locking rods 34 pass. The ends of the fabric strip are inserted between the cross bars with the rods 34 removed from the loop but after the ends of the strip pass through the spaces provided therefor, the said rods are inserted into the loop and serve to prevent the pulling out of the ends from the two frame sections.

Assuming that the rocking chair is in unfolded position for use as shown in Figure 1 of the draw- 11o ing, it will be noted that the flexible strip 31 hangs within the back frame 11 and provides a seat and back which will adapt itself to the parts of the body of a person sitting therein. The cross bars 19 and 20 constitute a rigid support for the thigh portion of the legs of the sitter Just above the bend of the knees'and by the user swaying back and forth, a rocking movement will of course be imparted between the seat section 12 and the back frame section 11. Such rocking movement may also be imparted by the arm or hand of the sitter pressing downward upon the arm members 27 and then releasing the pressure if desired. From the construction, it will be noted that the offset portions 29 of the slot 28 and the pins 30 serve to lock the back frame section 11 and seat frame section 12 to prevent possible collapsing of the section during rocking movement.

In order to collapse the chair to a folded position when not in use it is only necessary for an operator to grasp the top cross bar with one hand, and the cross bar 19 with the other hand. By applying a slight pressurebeneath the cross bar 19, the pins will be moved from the offset portions of the slots 28, whereupon the frame sections move to the positions as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings. When in such folded condition, the side bars 21 and 13 with the arm members 27 interposed therebetween are in parallel relation as are the base bars 14. When folded, the flexible fabric strip 31 hangs in loop formation and is prevented from outward swinging by reason of the cross bar 35 which extends between the side rails 13 of the seat frame sections 12. When folded the parts are in a compact position to permit storage of the chair in a relatively small space and also facilitate the convenient carrying or transporting of the same from place to place.

Should it be desired to remove the fabric strip 31 from the chair frame for the purpose of washing or cleaning, or for the replacement of the strip, the same may be readily detached by the removal of the rods 34 from their respective loops 33. When the rods are removed the ends of the strips-are free to be pulled from the cross bars as will be readily appreciated.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in construction may be resorted to if desired, and I do not wish to limit myself to the precise structural details herein set forth, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention, limited only by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A folding rocking chair comprising a pair of spaced parallel base bars having. slots adjacent their rear ends, a back frame section including side bars which are pivotally connected to the front ends of said base bars, a seat frame section including side bars freely crossing the side bars of said back frame section, the lower ends of the side bars of the seat frame section being provided with pins which extend into said slots, a pair of arm members pivoted to the side bars of said back frame section, said arm members having elongated slots therein provided with angular branches at one of the ends thereof, pins extending from the side bars of the seat frame section and disposed within said slots, and a fabric strip having its ends respectively connected to the upper forward end of said seat frame section and to the top of said back frame section.

2. A foldable rocking chair comprising a pair of spaced parallel base bars, a back frame section having straight side bars pivoted to the inside of the front ends of said base bars, a seat frame section including straight parallel side bars freely crossing the side bars of said back frame section on the outside thereof, said base bars having elongated slots therein adjacent the rear ends thereof, pins extending inwardly from the lower ends of the side bars of said seat frame section and into said slots, the upper end of the side bars of said seat frame section extending forwardly at an angle with respect to the major portion of the length of said side bars, a flat leg rest bar extending transversely between the angularly extending ends of said side bars, a flexible fabric strip fixedly attached to and extending from said leg rest bar to the top end of said back frame section, arm members pivotally connected to the side bars of said back frame section and extending forwardly thereof, portions of said arm members engaging the side bars of the seat frame section adjacent the angularly extending portions thereof, the said arm members having elongated slot-s therein terminating at one of their ends in offset branches, and pins extending from the side bars of said seat frame section into said slots for locking engagement with the offset portion thereof when the chair is in a set up position and for movement in said slots to the opposite ends thereof during the movement of the parts to a folded position wherein the base bars, side bars of the seat and back frame sections, and arm members assume a substantially parallel position.

THOMAS F. MURRAY. 

